President Isaac Herzog will be traveling to Australia from February 8 to February 12, where he will meet with Jewish leaders, victims of the Bondi Beach massacre, and Australian politicians.
President Isaac Herzog announced an upcoming visit to Australia to meet with the local Jewish community and Australian officials on Tuesday, with his official schedule indicating that he will depart on February 8 and return on February 12.
Herzog was invited to the country by the Governor-General, the Prime Minister of Australia, and the Australian Jewish community following the Bondi Beach massacre that occurred during a Jewish community Hanukkah event in which 15 people were killed, and hundreds were wounded last December.
Herzog will be meeting with bereaved families of the victims of the terror attack, as well as with those injured and their families, according to the government statement.
“Accompanying the President on the visit will be a solidarity delegation from Israel’s National Institutions, including the Chairman of the World Zionist Organization, Yaakov Hagoel, and the Chairman of the Jewish Agency, Maj.-Gen. (res.) Doron Almog,” the Government Press Office (GPO) said.
While the main objective of the visit will be to show solidarity with Australian Jews, the GPO explained that Herzog will also be briefed on the activities of the Jewish Agency and the World Zionist Organization, which both aim to strengthen Jewish communities in Australia, especially in light of the recent rise in antisemitism.
People gather at the floral tribute at Bondi Beach to honour the victims of a mass shooting targeting a Hanukkah celebration on Sunday at Bondi Beach, in Sydney, Australia, December 16, 2025. (credit: REUTERS/Jeremy Piper)
Finally, the President will meet with Australian government officials, including the Governor-General and the Prime Minister of Australia, as well as with leaders from across the political spectrum.
Herzog addresses Bondi Beach massacre
Herzog’s visit to Australia will occur almost a month and a half after he was invited by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on December 23, 2025.
Herzog was among the first Israeli officials to react to the Bondi Beach massacre, calling it “a very cruel attack on Jews who went to light the first candle of Hanukkah.”
“We repeat our alerts time and again to the Australian government to seek action and fight against the enormous wave of antisemitism which is plaguing Australian society,” he added, while he expressed his condolences to those wounded in the attack, sending “our warmest strength from Jerusalem.”
Days later, Albanese called Herzog to extend his invitation to the country. The GPO noted that the Australian Prime Minister also expressed “profound shock and dismay” over the attack.
James Genn and Miriam Sela-Eitam contributed to this report.